Guess who’s the next rock star chef to arrive

A Year of Provende in Mireio —PHOTO BY RAFFLES MAKATI

A huge congratulations and happy anniversary to Mireio, the Provencal restaurant of Raffles Makati. I can’t believe it’s been a year since this restaurant opened.

I have to confess, Mireio has a special place in my heart. Aside from having the same birthday as me (and Santa Claus; and Unang Hirit, the morning show of GMA Network where I did a brief stint as morning show host in my past life as news anchor), this restaurant has also been home to many a special event this 2017.

Wines for CEOs

One of the most memorable for me and probably the most relatable to the business community would be the Margaux at Mireio event hosted by former BPI CEO and now World Wildlife Fund chair Aurelio “Gigi” Montinola for the Commanderie de Bordeaux. No, the Margaux at Mireio wasn’t me but wines from Margaux, the Chateau Giscours and Chateau Du Tertre.

Being seated across Globe CEO Ernest Cu and lovely wife Arlene and beside finance genius Jaime Panganiban, it was fascinating to observe how these industry leaders are experts not only in marketing, finance and economics but in wines as well.

For Monique Toda, communications director of Raffles, the most memorable event was the collaboration dinner of Mireio’s chef de cuisine Nicolas Cegretin, Tokyo’s Michelin-starred chef Hiroyashi Kawate and veteran restaurateur Margarita Fores. The eight-course dinner “celebrated the unique fusion of Filipino, Japanese and French fare.”

Cegretin brought his A-game as he starred alongside the two other chefs with intimidating resumes, wowing guests with his take on the classic French foie gras. He paired this with Filipino ingredients, garnishing it with toasted coconut and highlighting local pineapples.

365

To celebrate its first 365 days, Mireio is offering a selection of its most popular Provencal dishes for only P365 until Tuesday, December 12.

Appetizers include Cegretin’s signature smoked salmon tartare with Granny Smith apple and Dijon mustard cream; classic tomato tart with clams and escargot, garnished with rocket salad and parmesan cheese; and soup of green lentil with pan-seared foie gras and truffle oil. For the main course, you can choose from a hearty selection of slow-cooked oxtail parmentier, traditional herb-crusted jackfish on ratatouille, and orzo with king prawns flambéed in Pastis and star anise cream.

For dessert, try the apple tart tatin topped with vanilla ice cream or the Provencal lavender crème brûlée.

Knowing hotel prices, I’d take advantage of this celebration and head over stat.

New executive chef

Sadly though, Cegretin is set to make his mark in Fairmont Canada this 2018. But as we welcome a new year, Raffles and Fairmont Makati are also welcoming a new executive chef (who will also choose the next chef for Mireio).

This is exciting news not only because it’s always lovely to welcome a new culinary expert to the city but because the incoming executive chef is a she!

Her name is Anne-Cecile Degenne, and she must be an absolute wine expert as she hails from no less than Bordeaux. She made it to the top 6 of Top Chef France Season 5 and has cooked for the likes of Bill Clinton and Serena Williams.

Having trained with the legendary Jean-George Vongerichten, she seems to have made quite an impact in Southeast Asia, opening a few successful restaurants for Accor Hotels. She became the first female hotel executive chef in Singapore, making waves with Xperience Restaurant at Sofitel So in Singapore; and as head chef of Hotel des Arts in Vietnam, she played a big role in helping the hotel win at the 2016 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

With such an impressive track record, I can’t wait to try chef Anne-Cecile’s creations.

Roof deck

Best of all, if it would be your first time to visit the restaurant, don’t forget to check out the Mireio Terrace, a roof deck bar with a stunning view of the Manila skyline. If you don’t have plans yet for New Year’s Eve, I can only imagine this would be the place to watch the fireworks.

Happy anniversary, Mireio! Here’s to another great year of fine French food and champagne at your terrace!

Mireio, 9/F Raffles Makati, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Ave. For inquiries and reservations call 795 0707.